The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has owned up to the Davao City blast that happened last night, September 2.
The unfortunate incident in Roxas Night Market left 14 dead and more than 60 people wounded.
According to ASG spokesperson Abu Rami, the Davao attack is “a call for unity to all mujahideen in the country.”
(Mujahideen, according to Free Dictionary, is "one engaged in a jihad, especially as a guerrilla warrior.")
Rami added that it is not a tactic to divert the attention of the government forces, which launched an all-out offensive against the bandits in Sulu and Basilan.
The spokesperson also warned that there will be similar attacks in the coming days.
The Davao blast prompted the president to declare a “state of lawlessness.”
He explained this declaration, “I may invite uniformed personnel to run the country according to my specifications.”
Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to intensify the operations finishing off ASG, after the death of 15 soldiers in a clash in Patikul, Sulu.
Meanwhile, celebrities had expressed their concern for the people in Davao City, mainly Vice Ganda, Gary Valenciano, and Apl.de.Ap.
Read: Vice Ganda, Gary V, and other celebs express concern for people in Davao